Chapter 245: Plan For the Future

Papa Perez finally looked at the young, eager Runner. "Thank you for this information, Mex," he said. "It is more valuable than you know."He leaned forward with an intense gaze. "I want you to continue this. Find out more about your new friend, and his people. Learn their history. Understand their nature. The arrival of the ’Sparkborns’ is an anomaly, and anomalies in the Nexus are rarely a good thing."

"Okay, Papa Perez!" Mex agreed readily, thrilled with his new, important task. "Should I go see him now?"

The old Normat gave a weary smile. "Let them breathe, child. They have just had their world turned upside down. Give it time."


***

Adrian, meanwhile, had just stumbled upon a realization that changed everything for them.

In the Mall, he had walked up to one of the council interfaces and selected a single nutritional pack, preparing to make his first, painful purchase.

But when he went to authorize the transaction, the price listed was 0 GC. He was not debited. He realized with a jolt that they got it for free.

’So that’s what he meant by one month of nutrition...’

The relief that washed over him was immense, but it was short-lived. The screen refreshed after he collected the single pack, and a new message appeared.

<190,289 free Nutritional Packs remaining for Designation: Sparkborns.>

Simple math told Adrian why. They had been given a precise, 30-day supply, and not a single pack more. The countdown was still on, and they weren’t out of the pot just yet.

Adrian sighed and, in a single, decisive act, proceeded to "buy out" all 190,289 of the remaining free nutritional packs, transferring them directly into his [Inventory] to be stored securely. The screen now read:

<0 free Nutritional Packs left!>

He also went ahead and obtained more than enough of the free, basic clothing sets. The clothes were described as being made of a "smart polymer" that would automatically adjust to fit any humanoid form, so he didn’t need to stress about sizes.

With his [Inventory] now fully loaded with enough food for a month and clothes for everyone, Adrian had no reason to remain there. He couldn’t afford anything else. He was, for all intents and purposes, broke.

There was no rest for him when he got home. He spent the next several hours helping his council members.

They worked tirelessly on allocation and arrangements, bringing a semblance of order to the chaos.

Together, they established a set of rules to maintain order: no hoarding of resources, mandatory check-ins for health and morale, a rotation for scouting, and prohibitions on unauthorized dealings with other sectors until they understood the dynamics.

Adrian addressed everyone, explaining their translocation, the station’s multicultural nature, and the imperative to adapt without panic.

He also explained to the populace how the nutritional packs worked, before each person was given their first one.

By the time the sun of the Nexus began to dim for the night cycle, a fragile sense of stability had settled over the 6,000 displaced souls.

They were inside their new, cramped houses. Most of the younger ones were happy, mesmerized by the Galactic Clash broadcasts on the wall-screens. Some of the older ones, however, were still struggling to adapt to their grim, new reality.

Meanwhile, an important meeting was ongoing in the small, grey house that now served as the capital of a kingdom.

"How’s it looking, Adrian?" Nyra was the first among the gathered Vassals to ask. Eli, Mara, Von, Karl, Serena, Charles, Jeffery, and Damien. These were the ones in attendance, all crammed into the tiny, stifling living area.

"There’s good news and bad news," Adrian began, his voice calm.

"The bad news is that the free food will only last one month. When that time is over, if we have not found a sustainable source of income, things will get... difficult."

He saw the grim looks on their faces. "Morale is low, and I would prefer to give our people a better life than this."

Everyone nodded, their gazes heavy, but still they awaited the good side.

"The good news," Adrian said, a flicker of his old, confident fire returning to his eyes, "is that we can elevate our situation. The Nexus is built on trade. We are able to sell goods on the open market, and I believe I can find a way to make the best use of that."

"Uh... Adrian," Karl asked, voicing the thought that was on most of their minds. "This place is... quite advanced already. You sure your inventions will be able to make an impact here?"

Adrian only smiled lightly. "There’s nothing like perfection, Karl. Only efficiency. I simply have to adapt to the situation and become better myself. I will find the weaknesses of their systems, the gaps in their market, and I will improve upon them."

A wave of trust and relief washed over the room. Serena added with confidence, "If there’s anyone who can make the best out of this impossible situation, it’s you, Adrian. We trust you completely."

"That’s true, lad," Eli boomed, his voice full of fatherly pride.

With everyone in high spirits again, Mara, who had been listening quietly, spoke up with a new idea.

"The food might be expensive, but with enough credits, can’t we produce our own? We have the best farmers and the best magical botanists. We could even turn it into a business, if it goes well."

"That’s brilliant, Mum!" Adrian was the first to approve, and soon every person was clapping and accepting the idea.

"Smart thinking, Mara!"

"Could change everything."

"Let’s make it happen!"

It was another path, another hope.

Damien, ever the impatient one, pounded his fist on the bench like a hammer on anvil,. "Enough yappin’! When do we kick off this grand scheme of yours, Adrian? Me hands are itchin’ to build somethin’ worthwhile!"

Adrian’s smile widened as a plan solidified in his mind. "Soon enough, Damien. I just need to obtain more information, and I know just the right person for that."